Seven people had filed to fill the seat: Ellen Conover, Dominic Ferry, Donald Flood, Anthony Gaeta, Anthony Gardner, George Sidrak and Steve Spardel. The Board’s four members–Glenn Elliott, Michael Unis, Joe Bellino and John Quattrocchi–nominated Spardel, Flood and Gardner, and Spardel got “yes” votes from all except Bellino. In a twist of fate, Elliott lost reelection to a fourth term to the BOE on Tuesday, with results coming in just a hour after the vote on Spardel.
Spardel, a resident of Verona since 1998, served 7 1/2 years on BOE in the past. Two of his children graduated from Verona High School, and the third attends VHS now. He was on the Board for the previous $34 million referendum and its first strategic plan. When he addressed the BOE’s candidate forum last month, he stressed need for close relationship with superintendent. He favors spending on curriculum and facilities, not full-day kindergarten or security. Spardel will join the BOE as of the next meeting.
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